What is a farm, anyway? Last week, Civil Beat published a story titled “Tightening Farm Rules Might Sound Good, But Could Hurt Real Farmers” that jumped into the debate over a controversial proposed Honolulu ordinance. After the story published on June 2, Civil Beat member Rory Flynn emailed me to alert me to the federal […]
Michael Levine
Michael Levine is a former Civil Beat staff member.
Posted inEnvironment
Memorial Day Lantern Numbers Are In
Last week, I reported that those who organized the Memorial Day tradition of floating lanterns out to sea went to great lengths to ensure that the lanterns don’t get far and don’t have a chance to contribute to the epidemic of marine debris. Today, a spokeswoman for the organizers got back to me with the […]
Posted inEnvironment
Land Links For Tuesday, June 8
Every day, I’m scouring the Internet for land use and environmental news from around the state and around the world that means something for us here in Hawaii. Noteworthy today: Trash Vortex 101, a bypass saves hours on the Big Island and more response to the BP oil spill. A quick two-minute “Trash Vortex 101” […]
Posted inEnvironment
Land Links for Monday, June 7
Every day, I’m scouring the Internet for land use and environmental news from around the state and around the world that means something for us here in Hawaii. Noteworthy today: wastewater seeping out of springs on Maui, a years-long drought is not over yet on the Big Island and state funds will expand a beach […]
Posted inEnergy
Chris Benjamin Interview: The Full Transcript
Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. is at the center of an important water decision on Maui. Civil Beat covered the issue in an article at the end of May. The company was represented in the article, but HC&S Manager Chris Benjamin wasn’t available for an interview. The following is the complete transcript of an interview […]
Posted inDevelopment
HC&S Manager: No Plans To Develop Sugar Lands
Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. is in the middle of a controversial hearing process over water rights in central Maui. The company says it won’t survive if the state water commission returns water from its irrigation system to streams. On May 28, Civil Beat published a story titled “What Rules Maui Water, Law or Sugar?” […]
Posted inEnvironment
Discussion: Water Rights
Hawaii is defined in part by who controls fresh water. Part of our ongoing coverage will be the issue of water rights.
Posted inEnvironment
Land Links for Friday, June 4
Every day, I’m scouring the Internet for land use and environmental news from around the state and around the world that means something for us here in Hawaii. Noteworthy today: geothermal talks gets started on the Big Island, a proposed Oahu park moves forward and a fight for water rages in California. A Big Island […]
Posted inEnvironment
Even For Deaths Of Rare Birds, Criminal Charges Extraordinary
Civil lawsuits may be a dime a dozen, but with criminal indictments — especially of corporations — it’s another story. The recent decision by the U.S. Department of Justice to file criminal charges against the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a step […]